Reflective heat patch

ABSTRACT

A heat patch and method for providing therapy to a body. The heat patch includes a reflective layer and a heat source that is attached to the reflective layer. The reflective layer reflects infrared energy emitted by the body back into the body while the heat source applies heat to the body. The combination of supplying heat and reflecting infrared energy provides effective therapy to people with relatively deep tissue injuries. In another aspect, the heat patch includes an enclosure made from a gas-permeable layer and a reflective layer attached to the gas-permeable layer. A heating composition is sealed inside the enclosure to generate heat when a gas (e.g., air) is received through the gas-permeable layer. The heat generated by the heating composition is easily controlled such that heat patch can be maintained at a temperature well above ambient temperature.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/646,384 filed Aug. 21, 2003 now U.S. Pat.No. 7,087,076, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat patch and more particularly to aheat patch that transfers heat to a body and reflects infrared energyinto the body when the heat patch is placed on or near the body.

BACKGROUND

A variety of heat-treating methods are used to treat symptoms such asstiffness, muscle pain, cold hands and feet, lumbago, rheumatism andneuralgia (among others). Some known heat-treating methods includedirect application of heat to the body using items such as a towel,jelly and/or paste. One concern with such heat-treating methods relatesto their ability to apply heat for extended periods of time.

Another heat-treating method utilizes a heat patch to apply heat to aninjured portion of a body. Many heat patches generate heat internally,such as via an exothermic chemical reaction, to raise the temperature ofthe heat patch. The temperature of the heat patch must be limitedbecause applying too much heat to the body causes discomfort or burning.The level of heat that may be safely applied by heat patches istypically insufficient to provide adequate therapy to deeper muscles orjoints within the body.

Another treatment method places a reflector on a body to reflect theinfrared energy which is emitted from the body back into the body.Infrared energy penetrates deeply into the tissues of the body toprovide physiological benefits that are believed to promote patienthealing and increase patient comfort. One concern with using reflectorsis that they typically do not reflect enough infrared energy to provideoptimal therapy, especially when the ambient temperature near the bodyis low.

Accordingly, there is a need for a heat patch that is capable ofproviding therapy to deeper areas of the body without burning the skinsurface. The heat patch should also be able to apply heat to an injuredarea of the body for extended periods of time. There is also a need fora heat patch that can be regulated at a temperature which issignificantly greater than typical ambient temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heat patch that generates heat andreflects infrared energy. The heat supplied by the heat patch issufficient to maintain the temperature of the heat patch well abovetypical ambient temperatures. As the body is warmed by the heat patch,the body generates more infrared energy which is then reflected backinto the body by the heat patch. The infrared energy that passes fromthe body is inherently efficient at passing through tissue. Therefore,when such infrared energy is reflected back into the tissue it issimilarly effective at passing through tissue to deeply penetrate thebody.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a heat patch forproviding therapy to a body. The heat patch includes a reflective layerand a heat source that is attached to the reflective layer. Thereflective layer reflects infrared energy emitted by the body back intothe body while the heat source applies heat to the body. The combinationof supplying heat and reflecting infrared energy potentially providessuperior therapy to people with relatively deep tissue injuries.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a heat patch forproviding therapy to a body where the heat patch includes an enclosuremade from a gas-permeable layer and a reflective layer that is attachedto the gas-permeable layer. A heating composition is sealed inside theenclosure. The heating composition generates heat when a gas (e.g., air)is received through the gas-permeable layer. The reflective layerreflects infrared energy emitted by the body back into the body. Theheat generated by the heating composition is easily controlled such thatheat patch can be maintained at a temperature that is well above ambienttemperature.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to method ofproviding therapy to a body. The method includes applying heat to aportion of the body and reflecting infrared energy emitted by the bodyback into the portion of the body.

In an alternative aspect, the method of providing therapy to a bodyincludes enabling an exothermic reaction within a heat patch to generateheat where the heat patch includes an enclosure formed of agas-permeable layer and a reflective layer. The method further includesapplying the heat patch to a portion of the body and reflecting infraredenergy emitted by the body back into the portion of the body using thereflective layer on the heat patch. In some sample forms of the method,enabling an exothermic reaction within the heat patch may includeexposing the heat patch to air to generate heat that maintains thetemperature of the heat patch in a range of about 38 degrees centigradeto about 44 degrees centigrade.

The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth inthe description that follows. Additional features of the invention willbe realized and attained by the product and processes particularlypointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well asfrom the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of thisspecification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood, and furtherfeatures will become apparent, when reference is made to the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings aremerely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of theclaims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the samereference numerals.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic section view of the heat patch.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of another heat patch.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the heat patch shown in FIG. 2taken along line 3-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural changes made, such that the following detaileddescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates a heat patch 10 for providing therapy to a portion 2of a body 1. The heat patch 10 includes a reflective layer 13 and a heatsource 16 that is attached to the reflective layer 13. The reflectivelayer 13 reflects infrared energy X emitted by the body 1 back into theportion 2 of the body 1, and the heat source 16 applies heat to the body1.

The combination of generated heat and reflected infrared energy provideseffective therapy to the portion 2 of the body 1. The heat applied bythe heat patch 10 not only applies therapy to the portion 2 of the body,but increases the amount of infrared energy emitted from the body 1.Since more infrared energy X is emitted from the body 1 when heat isapplied to the body 1, then more infrared energy X is reflected backinto the portion 2 of the body 1 by the reflective layer 13 to provideeven more effective therapy to the body 1.

The reflective layer 13 may be aluminized polyester film (among othermaterials). The relative size and shape of the reflective layer 13 andthe heat source 16 will depend on the size and shape of the portion 2 onthe body 1.

Although any type of heat source 16 may be used in the heat patch 10, insome sample forms, heat source 16 may be a resistive element thatgenerates heat when current is supplied to the resistive element by apower source (e.g., a battery). In addition, the heat patch 10 mayfurther include a controller 19 (e.g., a computer system) that isconnected to the heat source 16 to control the rate at which heat issupplied by the heat source 16.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a heat patch 40. The heat patch 40 includes anenclosure 41 having a gas-permeable layer 42 and a reflective layer 43that is attached to the gas-permeable layer 42. A heating composition 46(see FIG. 3) is sealed inside the enclosure 41. The heating composition46 is capable of generating heat when a gas, such as oxygen contained inambient air, is received through the gas-permeable layer 42.

The reflective layer 43 of the enclosure 41 is positioned on, or near,the skin such that the heat patch 40 applies heat directly, orindirectly, to a portion 52 of the body 51. The reflective layer 43 issimilar to the reflective layer 13 described above with regard to FIG. 1in that reflective layer 43 also reflects infrared energy emitted fromthe body 51 back into the injured portion 52 of the body 51.

The heat patch 40 is stored in a hermetic environment (e.g., a sealedbag) such that the heating composition 46 remains inactivate until theheat patch 40 is removed from the hermetic environment. Heat patch 40may be placed in the gas-tight sealed bag alone, or with additional heatpatches that are part of a single piece which is folded for storage intothe sealed bag. The individual patches could then be cut from the singlepiece before being applied on or near a body.

Once the heat patch 40 is removed from the hermetic environment andexposed to air, an exothermic reaction takes place. The exothermicreaction generates heat that raises the temperature of the heat patch40. Increasing the rate at which the exothermic reaction takes placewithin the enclosure 41 causes the temperature of the heat patch 40 torise, but reduces the duration of the exothermic reaction. The rate atwhich the exothermic reaction takes place is controlled by limiting thesupply of air that feeds the exothermic reaction within the heat patch40.

In some sample forms, a gas-impermeable cover (not shown) may bedetachably mounted to the gas-permeable layer 42 to limit the supply ofair that can pass through gas-permeable layer 42. Although the entiregas-permeable layer 42 is shown as being gas permeable, in somealternative forms, certain section(s) of the layer 42 will begas-impermeable.

As long as the supply of air remains constant, the exothermic reactionwithin heat patch 40 maintains the temperature of the heat patch 40 at apredetermined level over a long period of time. As an example, heatpatch 40 may be maintained at 38 degrees C. when some of gas-permeablelayer 42 is sealed, and may be maintained at 44 degrees C. when theentire gas-permeable layer 42 is exposed. The temperature of the heatpatch 40 and length of heating time depend on how much of thegas-permeable layer 42 is exposed at any one particular time.

The perimeter of the reflective layer 43 is bonded to the perimeter ofthe gas-permeable layer 42 by such means as adhesion, melt-bonding orsewing (among others). As an example, one edge of the joinedgas-permeable layer 42 and reflective layer 43 may be left open, andafter the heating composition 46 is inserted, the open edge is sealed toform the enclosure 41. It should be noted that any size, number andarrangement of layers may be utilized in forming the heat patch 40 aslong it includes a gas-permeable layer and a reflective layer.

Another example may include fabricating the heat patch 40 using alayering approach in which a layer of heating composition 46 isdeposited on the gas-permeable layer 42. The reflective layer 43 is thenpositioned on the heating composition 46 while the perimeter edges ofthe enclosure 41 are simultaneously sealed to entrap the heatingcomposition 46.

The gas-permeable layer 42 may be polyethylene or polypropylenenon-woven fabric (among other materials). Any conventional heatingcomposition 46 may be used to induce an exothermic reaction in thepresence of a gas such as air. Some example heating compositions 46include any combination of iron powder, water, water-retaining agent,reaction promoter and salt.

In alternative forms, a release layer (not shown) may be detachablymounted to the reflective layer 43 using an adhesive. The release layermay be removed from the reflective layer 43 leaving only the adhesive onthe reflective layer 43. The remaining adhesive provides a means fordirectly, or indirectly, securing the heat patch 40 to the body 51.

A method of providing therapy to a body 1 is described herein withreference to FIG. 1. The method includes applying heat to a portion 2 ofthe body 1 and reflecting infrared energy X emitted by the body 1 backinto the portion 2 of the body 1.

In some sample forms of the method, applying heat to the portion 2 ofthe body 1 includes generating heat within a heat patch 10 and applyingthe heat patch 10 to the portion 2 of the body 1. Generating heat withinthe heat patch 10 may include delivering current through a resistiveelement or enabling an exothermic reaction within the heat patch 10(among other ways to generate heat). In addition, generating heat withinthe heat patch 10 may include controlling the heat generated by the heatpatch 10.

It should be noted that reflecting infrared energy may includereflecting infrared energy having wavelengths in a range of about 3 to50 microns, especially having wavelengths near 10 microns. In addition,reflecting infrared energy may include positioning a reflective layer 13on the heat patch 10 on, or near, the portion 2 of the body 1.

Another method of providing therapy to a body 51 is described hereinwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In one form, the method includesenabling an exothermic reaction within a heat patch 40 to generate heat.The heat patch 40 includes an enclosure 41 that is formed of agas-permeable layer 42 and a reflective layer 43. The method furtherincludes attaching the heat patch 40 to a portion 52 of the body 51 andreflecting infrared energy X emitted by the body 51 back into theportion 52 of the body 51 using the reflective layer 43 on the heatpatch 40. Enabling an exothermic reaction within the heat patch 40 mayinclude exposing the heat patch 40 to air in order to maintain the heatpatch 40 at a temperature in a range of about 38 degrees centigrade toabout 44 degrees centigrade.

The operations discussed above with respect to the described methods maybe performed in a different order from those described herein. It shouldbe noted that attaching a heat patch to a body includes attaching theheat patch directly, or indirectly, to the body. In addition, FIGS. 1-3are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.

The heat patches and methods described herein allow a user or therapistto more easily control the temperature of a heat patch over a longperiod of time. The heat patches and methods are also effective inapplying therapy to deep tissues within a human body.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to thespecific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled inthe art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readilyconceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to theseaspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention,which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims.

1. A heat patch for providing therapy to a body, the heat patchcomprising: a reflective layer capable of reflecting infrared energyemitted by the body back into the body; a gas-permeable layer attachedto said reflective layer to form an enclosure; and a heating compositionsealed inside said gas-permeable layer and said reflective layer, saidheating composition being capable of generating heat when a gas isreceived through said gas-permeable layer and comprising a combinationof iron powder, water, water-retaining agent, reaction promoter andsalt.
 2. The heat patch of claim 1 wherein said gas-permeable layerincludes at least one portion that is impermeable to gas.
 3. The heatpatch of claim 1 wherein said heating composition is capable ofgenerating heat when ambient air is received through said gas-permeablelayer.
 4. The heat patch of claim 1 wherein said reflective layer iscapable of reflecting infrared energy having wavelengths in a range ofabout 3 to 50 microns.
 5. The heat patch of claim 1 wherein said heatingcomposition generates sufficient heat to maintain the heat patch in arange of about 38 degrees centigrade to about 44 degrees centigrade whenthe heat patch is exposed to the gas.
 6. The heat patch of claim 1wherein said reflective layer is aluminized polyester film.
 7. The heatpatch of claim 1 further comprising a gas-impermeable cover that isdetachably mounted to said gas-permeable layer to limit the supply ofgas that can pass through said gas-permeable layer.
 8. The heat patch ofclaim 1 wherein a perimeter of said gas-permeable layer is bonded to aperimeter of said reflective layer.
 9. The heat patch of claim 1 whereinsaid reflective layer and said gas-permeable layer are the same size.10. The heat patch of claim 1 further comprising a sealed bag thatstores said enclosure and said heating composition in a hermeticenvironment.
 11. The heat patch of claim 1 further comprising anadhesive on said reflective layer to secure the heat patch to the body.